Report assails US on human rights

The United States has long blamed other countries for violating human rights, but 122 United Nations member states and some 100 related domestic and international organizations said this week that the US itself has a number of human rights problems that violate international benchmarks of equality, justice and protection.

These include the use of capital punishment; racial, religious and sexual profiling and discrimination; excessive use of force by law enforcement agencies; torture; and hate crimes.

More than 70 points of concern - and related recommendations - were raised in a report prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights dealing with problems ranging from the administration of justice, migrant rights and environmental issues, to counterterrorism practices.